- By Kamal Kumar
- Wed, 18 Oct 2023 12:36 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Israel-Palestine War: As a deadly missile attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza killed more than 500 people including women and children, condemnations of the cowardly attack are pouring in from across the world.
The attack which Israel claimed 'was a misfired rocket by Islamic Jihad a terror outfit operating in the Middle East and an accomplice of Hamas', turned the fingers on the accuser itself, and prompted many across the geo-political spectrum to accuse the Jewish nation. The ramifications were not only localised, attempts to douse off the escalating situation in the ongoing war also derailed after the heinous act. Jordan on Wednesday cancelled the much anticipated conciliatory talks with the US, Egypt and Palestine. The summit which US President Joe Biden, who said that he is 'outraged and deeply saddened' by the attack was to attend, now stands cancelled.
The attack also sparked strong protests across several Middle east countries, Israel's embassies in Turkey and Jordan and other Islamic countries, Reuters reported.
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condemned the brutal Gaza hospital attack, killing as many as 500 civilians. He took to the social media platform X and wrote, "Deeply shocked at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza—our heartfelt condolences to the victims' families, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. Those involved should be held responsible."
Israel
Attributing the attack to "terrorists in Gaza," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that it was these barbarians, not the IDF, who targeted the hospital. The Israeli Defense spokesperson, citing intelligence from various sources, identified Islamic Jihad as responsible for the unsuccessful rocket launch striking the Gaza hospital.
Russia
Russia, the nemesis of the United States, demanded satellite images from Israel to prove that it was not involved in the attack. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, conveyed to Radio Sputnik that the assault was a profoundly disturbing and dehumanizing act.
Iran
One of the strongest critics of Israel again bashed it and levelled direct accusations of Israel's involvement in the attack. President Ebrahim Raisi declared a day of nationwide 'public mourning' on Wednesday, while also saying that this attack will turn against Israel and the US.
"The flames of the US-Israeli bombs, dropped this evening on the Palestinian victims injured at the... hospital in Gaza, will soon consume the Zionists," Raisi said, according to the IRNA agency, reported AFP.
France
France too joined the long list of world leaders in condemning the attack. French President Macron wrote on X that nothing can justify the attack against a hospital.
"Nothing can justify a strike against a hospital. Nothing can justify targeting civilians. France condemns the attack on the Al-Ahli Arabi hospital in Gaza which caused so many Palestinian victims. We think of them," He wrote.
EU
Reminding stakeholders of 'international law' European Union chief Charles Michel called the attack a human tragedy. "An attack against a civilian infrastructure is not in line with international law," Michel said after a videoconference of EU leaders.
Jordan/Qatar
Jordan strongly condemns Israel for the incident, holding it responsible, leading to the cancellation of a peace summit. Qatar denounces the Gaza hospital attack as a brutal massacre, describing it as a heinous crime against civilians and a dangerous violation of international law.
Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey criticized the incident on social media, labelling it as a recent example of Israeli attacks lacking fundamental human values.
"I invite all humanity to take action to stop this unprecedented brutality in Gaza," He wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Also Read: 'Get Us Out Of Here': Israeli Woman Shown Receiving Treatment In First Hostage Video By Hamas; Watch
United Nations
The UN's human rights chief, Volker Turk, deemed the hospital strike entirely unacceptable, highlighting the need to hold the perpetrators accountable. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed horror at the Gaza hospital explosion, condemning the incident and expressing deep concern over the loss of Palestinian civilian lives.
World Health Organization
The WHO strongly condemned the attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital, stating that the hospital was operational with patients, caregivers, and internally displaced people present. The agency noted early reports indicating numerous fatalities and injuries.
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, a survivor of a 2012 Taliban assassination attempt, called on the Israeli government to permit humanitarian aid into Gaza and reiterated the plea for a ceasefire.